YMCA of San Diego County·San Diego, California
The Inclusion Leader provides one-on-one support and behavior modification services to participants with special needs within a YMCA program setting. They are responsible for ensuring participant safety, facilitating academic and recreational activities, and maintaining clear communication with staff and families.
Overview Responsible for working individually with participants with special needs and helping to facilitate their inclusion into a YMCA program setting by providing behavior modification and support services for participants with social-emotional/behavior challenges and their families. This position is responsible for leading children, youth and/or young adults in a variety of YMCA programming daily, ensure safety and well-being of all participants, actively engage in planning and implementation of quality YMCA programs and objectives, and serve as a positive role model. To learn more about YMCA Expanded Learning Programs CLICK HERE For more on Employee Perks, click on this link: Employee Benefits | YMCA of San Diego County (ymcasd.org) SCHEDULE: M-F 1:30pm – 6pm (must be available for 5 afternoon shifts) WORK DESIGNATION: In-Person
Help facilitate inclusion of participant into typical program day Work individually with a participant with special needs Ensure safety, well-being of participants to include physical and personal care hygiene Implement behavior strategies that support the participant in the program Provide continual supervision and comfort to participants and serve as a leader and positive role model Facilitate activities, academic enrichment, games, crafts and other program activities Create an age-appropriate learning environment, which allows for and fosters creativity and individuality Maintain daily communication with supervisor, staff, participants and parents Provide resources and effective strategies that support the participant to other staff Follow and maintain YMCA standards, goals and objectives Keep and maintain ongoing participant documentation for services and accountability The physical ability work with participants who require diapering and/or lifting services Must have verbal, visual and auditory abilities to respond to critical incidents and the physical ability to act swiftly in an emergency Ability to work with a culturally diverse community Ability to adequately observe participant activities, enforce safety regulations and apply appropriate policies and procedures The physical ability to lead in group activities and to perform related physical skills TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: This position occasionally requires travel throughout San Diego County in the event of shift coverage SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: This position does not include any supervisory responsibilities
Minimum 18 years of age and high school graduate or GED 1 – 2 years advanced experience working with participants with special needs/social-emotional/behavior support needs ages 0-14 Experience in behavior modification strategies and reinforcement systems are desirable PRE-HIRE CONTINGENCIES: Licensing, state law and our funders require that applicants be fingerprinted, prior to reporting to work, and include subsequent arrest notifications Negative TB assessment or test results obtained within the past 60 days, prior to working on a school site, and every four (4) years thereafter CPR/AED, and First Aid Certification, must include Adult and Child/Infant, obtained within 30 days of hire, and must be from one of the following certifying organizations: American Red Cross, American Heart Association, American Safety & Health Institute Education may vary per the department or program of hire: Completion of 48 college units, OR passed CAPE/ Instructional Aide proficiency exam OR 12 units in Child Development or related field which can include: Arts, Early Childhood Education, Education, Humanities, Physical Education, Psychology, Recreation, Sociology, and Theater YMCA will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the San Diego County Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if the YMCA is concerned about conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the opportunity to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Ordinance by visiting the San Diego County Office of Labor Standards and Enforcement. Pay Range USD $20.50 - USD $23.63 /Hr.
Candidates must be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or GED and 1-2 years of experience working with special needs populations. Applicants must also meet specific education requirements, such as 48 college units or relevant child development coursework, and obtain CPR/First Aid certification.
Market context
In California, inclusion leader roles in expanded learning programs are typically driven by ongoing demand for staff who can support students with special needs in after-school and enrichment settings. These roles can be competitive because employers often look for a mix of age, education, CPR/First Aid readiness, and direct experience with special needs populations. Review the posted requirements carefully and confirm your coursework or college units before applying; this platform AI-summarizes requirements and benefits from the original job description, saving you research time.